Public Apathy Alarms West Valley School Board Amid Superintendent Hiring Process
Amid statewide controversy over superintendent pay and financial decisions, one West Valley district is urging its community to get involved in selecting its next leader.
Amid a storm of negative headlines about superintendent salaries and questionable financial decisions statewide, one West Valley district is breaking the silence—pleading for its community to step up and shape the search for its next leader.
The Avondale Elementary School District Governing Board has enlisted Arizona School Administrators for a nationwide superintendent search for the 2025-2026 school year. Yet, the district community remains silent.
Meeting minutes reveal just one community voice: staff member Amy Marinelli. Marinelli urged the board to prioritize a superintendent who champions teacher advocacy, work-life balance, mental health, diversity, and equitable resources. With decisions this critical, the lack of public input is striking.
Meeting Minutes Review: Avondale Elementary School District Board Meeting
The Avondale Elementary School District board’s January 14th meeting exposed cracks in community engagement during the search for a new superintendent. While 3,000 surveys were distributed to staff, parents, students, and community partners, board member Leticia Castro highlighted a glaring issue: the minimal response rate. Her concerns about the survey’s effectiveness—and whether more direct methods like door-to-door outreach or community forums could have increased participation—went unanswered, overshadowed by a rigid adherence to the search timeline.
Avondale Elementary School District Governing Board consists of five members, who reside within the school district boundaries, and are elected to 4-year terms.
Board President Mark Gonzales dismissed the idea of reopening the survey, citing deadlines, while consultant Dr. Timothy Ogle reassured the board that the response rate was better than average. Yet, Castro pressed on, pointing out that the board itself set the timeline and missed an opportunity for deeper engagement. Her call for clarity on survey data and suggestions for improved communication around the process revealed a tension between transparency and efficiency.
Dr. Betsy Hargrove, the Superintendent, promised to share information about the search phases but warned against disclosing dates, citing candidate confidentiality. The conversation underscored a recurring theme: balancing the need for community involvement with logistical constraints.
Ultimately, the board acknowledged the importance of inclusivity in the final stages but stopped short of committing to actionable changes. Castro’s repeated calls for better outreach reflected a sense of urgency that contrasted with the board’s apparent comfort with the status quo.
Bottom Line: The meeting revealed a district struggling to bridge the gap between process and participation. The silence from the community—whether due to apathy, lack of awareness, or flawed outreach—casts a shadow over the legitimacy of the superintendent search process.
MOVING FORWARD
Meet the finalists for the next superintendent:
Dr. Gary Zehrbach – Deputy Superintendent at Deer Valley Unified, with leadership roles since 2004. Notre Dame alum with a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Eric Dueppen – Assistant Superintendent at Creighton Elementary, in leadership since 2005. A triple Northern Arizona University grad with deep expertise in curriculum and teaching.
Ms. Norma Jáuregui – Assistant Superintendent at Glendale Elementary, in leadership since 2007. An ASU powerhouse with dual master’s degrees in curriculum and educational leadership.
In the December 4, 2024, meeting, the Governing Board reached a consensus to set the superintendent's salary range at $165,000 to $195,000.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
The next chance to meet the finalists for AESD Superintendent and share your input is at a Meet and Greet on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 4–5 p.m. at the Avondale Elementary School District Office Governing Board Room, 295 W. Western Avenue. Don’t miss this chance to connect—everyone is welcome!
JEN’S TWO CENTS
Leadership plays a pivotal role in the success of our schools. Over the past several years, I have closely analyzed proficiency scores and the allocation of taxpayer dollars within the district. These decisions, which directly impact student outcomes and fiscal responsibility, are made by governing boards and superintendents. With a new superintendent on the horizon, now is the critical moment for community members to engage and ensure their leaders are held accountable.
Avondale Elementary School Distrit earned an “A” rating by the Arizona Department of Education in the 2023-2024 School Year. Situated just west of Phoenix, the district of roughly 6,000 students encompasses nine schools serving preschool through eighth grade, offering a variety of choice programs to meet diverse student needs.
Many board members across West Valley districts have strengthened their skills through leadership programs offered by their local city governments. Programs like Goodyear’s LEAD and the Buckeye Civic Institute are incredible opportunities to grow as a leader and make a lasting impact—I highly encourage you to explore them!